Local artists create new children’s book on tugboat river rescue

Monday

Nov 12, 2012 at 3:15 AM

PORTSMOUTH — Well-known writer Crystal Ward Kent of Eliot, Maine, and acclaimed artist Denise Brown of Portsmouth, have collaborated on a children’s book with a local theme. They will be doing their first book signing at Tugboat Alley in Portsmouth, on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m.

“Tugboat River Rescue!” is the true story of the near capsize of the tugboat Miss Stacy while working on the demolition of the Memorial Bridge here in Portsmouth. The Miss Stacy was dramatically rescued by the local tugboat the Eugenia Moran, and her skilled captain and crew. The story of the “Tugboat River Rescue!” is told in simple but dramatic prose by Kent and beautifully illustrated with full color artwork by Brown. Kent, who witnessed the incident, also includes actual photos of the rescue in the back of the book.

“It was pure chance that I happened to be there,” says Kent. “I had just come from a meeting in an office building near the bridge and decided to go down and take some photos of the demolition work. When I arrived, the Miss Stacy had just heeled over and the rescue unfolded from there. I thought the incident would be a great story and would draw positive attention to the important work done by our tugboats and the Coast Guard.”

Kent, who owns Kent Creative, a creative services agency providing writing, design, marketing and PR out of Dover, NH, and Brown, who owns Ad-Cetera Graphics of Portsmouth, have frequently collaborated on projects, but this is their first book. Kent is an established writer whose work has regularly appeared in magazines such as Taste of the Seacoast,

Northeast Flavor, Coastal Home, University of New Hampshire Magazine, Bay State Builder, Granite State Builder and others. She also writes for Guideposts books, Chicken Soup, and is the author of “Mainely Kids: A Guide to Family Fun in Southern Maine.”

Brown, an accomplished graphic designer, is the author/illustrator of “Wind: Wild Horse Rescue,” “Abenaki: The Indian Pony,” and the popular children’s coloring book series, “Ted Gets Out.” She is well known around the region for her stunning watercolors of Seacoast scenes, architectural renderings, horse illustrations, and her work on “The Trail of Painted Ponies” series of collectible horse figurines.

“Tugboat River Rescue,” published by Raccoon Studios, will be sold at local children’s stores, book stores and gift shops, and will be available through Amazon.com as well as through the www.tugboatrescue.com website. The softcover book is 31 pages, fully illustrated, includes fascinating tugboat facts, and retails for $14.95.

“It’s a great gift and a great read for anyone who lives in the area, is originally from the Seacoast, or has visited here and wants to take back a sample of real life on the Piscataqua,” says Brown. “It gives a wonderful sense of the river and theimportant work our tugboats do every day.”To learn more, call (603) 742-0800 or (603) 436-0788 or visit www.tugboatrescue.com.